New owner carrying on longtime city tradition

New Trenton Ice Cream Shoppe owner Jennifer Kazmar (left) hopes to put her own stamp on a four-decades-plus Trenton tradition of serving ice cream treats like the one being prepared by Alshla Rudolph above.

BY MELANIE YOUNG

The Trenton Ice Cream Shoppe, a staple on West Road for decades, quietly changed hands in November.

Trenton resident Jennifer Kazmar took over the business from previous owners Sue and Craig Primeau. The Primeaus still own the building. Kazmar will lease the building from them for five years, then take over ownership of it.

“I’m thankful for them,” Kazmar said. She couldn’t speak more highly of the Primeaus, saying how they stayed on to help train her and they still come to help if needed.

Kazmar said she was interested in the business as a way to help her children, Cade and Haley, with college, and to be able to spend more time with them. A single mother, she also works for Hospice.

“Hospice is really sad. People come into the Shoppe and they’re happy. It’s a different energy,” she said.

A Trenton resident for nine years, Kazmar loves the city. “Friends come in to help out. Everyone takes care of each other.”

Since taking over the business, she’s kept most things the way they are, but has made some changes to the menu. She brought in Michigan-based Ashby’s Ice Cream, and most of her other food items, including sprinkles and gummy bears, are from Michigan as well. She shops locally for fresh fruit.

A new item added to the menu is the Hot Waffles. The dessert consists of two hot, homemade waffles, with whatever type of ice cream the customer wants in the middle. It’s rolled in sprinkles then dusted with powdered sugar. Kazmar said it’s been a big hit. She’s also added an Arctic Pizza.

The Shoppe also carries ice cream cakes, regular cakes and cake rolls, all made by Kim, the daughter of the former owners. There are cakes, ice cream pies and cookie sandwiches available ready-made, or customers can call to order. The business also carries Sanders cakes and the famous Sanders Hot Fudge Cream Puff.

Customers will also find traditional ice cream shop fare such as slushes, smoothies, sundaes and Twisters, a blended ice cream dessert. There are dairy free and sugar free ice cream options, as well as soft serve ice cream and two types of frozen yogurt. The Ashby ice cream flavors rotate monthly, and there is always a flavor of the month.

Daniel Bartrum drives from Riverview to the Trenton Ice Cream Shoppe. He likes the local, small business aspect of the business. “It’s our ice cream place. I love it here,” he said.

Kazmar enjoys giving back to the community and offers groups a fundraising opportunity. Groups can contact her to set up a date and she will give 25 percent of the money earned that day to the group.

“It’s very important to me to give back because I’ve been given so much support throughout my life,” Kazmar said.

Sports teams that come in are offered a 15 percent discount.

While she doesn’t want to make too many changes, Kazmar plans a few cosmetic ones. She’s planning to get new seating inside, and plans to paint the interior. She would also like to have outside seating with tables and umbrellas.

“I’d like to put my stamp on it,” she said.

The Trenton Ice Cream Shoppe is located at.2081 West Road. The phone number is (734) 675-1680. The business can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.